KOTA KINABALU: Although they make up less than 1% of Sabah’s population, the Dusun Tinagas community is determined not to be forgotten.
Facing the risk of cultural identity loss within a generation, the community has united to preserve the traditions and customs passed down from their ancestors.
Nestled in Kampung Malinsau in the highlands of Ranau, the Dusun Tinagas believe it is not too late to protect their language, customs, and way of life—a crucial move to prevent their cultural heritage from fading, or worse, being erased entirely.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of Piuludan Tinagas 2025, a cultural gathering held recently in Kampung Malinsau, organising chairman Maslah Rompado made an emotional call to action.
"There is a quote that resonates with me: ‘If you want to erase a people, erase their language and culture.’ I fear that with the rapid pace of globalisation and the digital era, if our language and culture are not preserved, it is not impossible that in 10 or 20 years, the Tinagas identity may disappear," she told The Star.
The Dusun Tinagas are an indigenous subgroup of the larger Kadazandusun and Murut community, primarily found in the tri-border region of Ranau, Kota Marudu, and Beluran.
Their population, estimated at just 20,000 to 30,000 out of Sabah’s 3.74 million, makes the need for cultural preservation even more urgent.
Rompado said Kampung Malinsau was chosen as the venue for this year’s event as it is considered the cultural heartland of the Dusun Tinagas.
"We have traced our community in other districts, and when in Beluran, all the Tinagas there told us their ancestors came from Malinsau. This village truly sits at the centre. On foot, we are close to Kota Marudu, by river, we reach Beluran, and by road, we are nearest to Ranau," she explained.
She said that Piuludan Tinagas was initially launched as an annual programme, with events held in 2018 and 2019. However, it was paused due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We decided to revive it this year and plan to hold it every three years. But the work does not stop there … we will continue making improvements each year," Rompado added.
The programme aims to revive traditional dress, music, dance, oral history, and language—cultural elements that she describes as fading fast among younger generations.
Rompado, who also leads the Indigenous Women’s Association of Malaysia (PWOAM), said many young Tinagas today can no longer recognise traditional gong rhythms or recite ancient chants like madlibag.
Madlibag is a traditional poetic chant or sung verse, similar to a syair or lyrical ballad, performed as storytelling that blends song and spoken word to convey emotion, wisdom, and cultural memory, often passed down orally through generations.
"These are not just art forms. They are vessels of our history and worldview," she said.
One of the key highlights during Piuludan Tinagas was the official launch of the Dusun Tinagas traditional motif, which has been submitted to the Sabah State Archives and Sabah Cultural Board for preservation, an achievement Rompado described as a cultural milestone.
The event also featured competitions such as Ratu Lapoi (cultural queen), Suminding (traditional song), Manangon (storytelling), and Kombo (music and dance), all designed to reignite pride and interest in Tinagas heritage.
"We are not here to dwell in nostalgia. This is a rallying cry. The younger generation must carry the torch. Our generation has paved the way, now it is their turn to walk it," she said.
Piuludan Tinagas 2025 drew participants and guests from across Sabah and received strong support from cultural agencies, elected leaders, and donors including Yayasan Sabah, Jetama, and the Indigenous Peoples of Asia Solidarity Fund.
"Our culture is our identity, our heritage, our pride. If we lose it, we lose ourselves," Rompado said.
